Trades in Alberta

On this page:

  • Apprenticeship Education Program 
  • Trades Qualifier Program 
  • Employment in the Trade 

Trades in Alberta

Welder - Wire Process Operator
Trade Profiles
About Designated Trades
    About Restricted Activities
Tradesperson Lookup Tool

Welder - Wire Process Operator

Welder-wire process operators work primarily in production and manufacturing plants, joining components and sub-assemblies to make various items using a variety of construction materials. Welding in this branch of the welder trade is restricted to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) and other semiautomatic wire feed welding processes.

2-Period Apprenticeship Program
Compulsory Certification

Apprenticeship Education Program

Apprenticeship blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning, so you can build skills, knowledge, and a career all at once.

Credential
  • Certificate of Achievement 
Certification
  • Journeyperson Certificate
Program Requirements
  • 2 periods (levels) 
  • Period 1:
    • 1500 hours work experience
    • 8 weeks classroom instruction
  • Period 2: 
    • 1800 hours work experience per period 
  • All periods: 
    • Theory exam required
  • Each period designed to take ~1 year
  • Up to 18 months allowed between each requirement
Classroom Instruction
  • 8 weeks in period 1 
  • Offered at Keyano College, Lakeland College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Medicine Hat College, NAIT, Northern Lakes College, Northwestern Polytechnic, Olds College, Portage College, Red Deer Polytechnic, and SAIT
  • Entrance requirements:
    • English 10-2 and Math 10-3
    • or GED/CAEC
    • or Entrance Exam
On-the-Job Instruction
  • 1500 hours in period 1 
  • 1800 hours in period 2
  • Sponsorship agreement required to earn hours.
  • Must be completed with a qualified mentor.
  • Demonstrate competence in activities outlined in the record book to receive credit.
Exams
  • Theory exam required to complete each period
High School Credit
  • Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
  • Career and Technology Studies (CTS)
Recognized Programs

Trades Qualifier Program

If you have experience in the trade without an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, the Trades Qualifier Program is your pathway to qualify.

Work Experience Program
  1. Complete 36 months and 4950 hours of verifiable Welder - Wire Process Operator work experience.
  2. Pass a theory exam.
  3. Pass a practical exam ($160.00). 

Applicants holding a related trade certificate may be eligible for credit toward these requirements (see Related Trade Certificates for the Apprenticeship Education Program above).

Recognized Credentials Program
  1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
  2. Pass a theory exam.
  3. Pass a practical exam ($160.00). 

Employment in the Trade

As a designated trade under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, employed individuals or those employing tradespeople must meet certain regulated standards.

Restricted Activities
  • Specific tasks and function within the trade may only be performed by authorized individuals.
Authorized Individuals
  • To perform restricted activities, you must be:
    • a registered apprentice, or
    • working at a journeyperson level in the opinion of your employer (journeyperson certification optional).
Apprentice-to-Mentor Ratio
  • Employers may employ two apprentices for every one assigned mentor (5:1). 
Wages
  • Apprentices must be paid at least the below percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid Welder - Wire Process Operator journeyperson employed by the same company.
    • Period 1: 60%
    • Period 2: 75%
Recognized Credentials
  • If you hold a recognized trade certificate from outside of Alberta, you are authorized to work in the full scope of the trade in Alberta.